Best not to say that she probably wouldn’t see much of it. Instead, Jules thanked him again, then quickly followed Vivian, who was already hightailing it out of the room, pausing only to wave at certain acquaintances on her way out.

Once they’d left the room, Jules pulled out her phone to call Jimmy and tell him they were ready to go.

“Get my mink.” She handed Jules her coat check ticket.

Jules hurried to fetch their things and returned wearing her own coat and carrying Vivian’s mink stole.

Jules slid the garment around Vivian’s shoulders. Lately she’d been allowed to help with stuff like that. Jules had no idea why, what it meant, or if it meant anything. Vivian could just be tired. Or distracted.

Either way, it wasn’t the worst feeling to watch Vivian Carlisle’s slender shoulders disappear beneath the luxurious fur.

They reached the curb as Jimmy pulled up. “Home, Ms. Carlisle?” he asked as they settled in.

“Yes.” She closed her eyes briefly, then gazed out the window. They’d just pulled into traffic when she murmured, “Thank God that’s over.”

“The food was nice,” Jules offered.

“The fish was bland and poorly cooked.”

“Except for the fish,” Jules mumbled.

Vivian sighed. She rested a hand on the black Hermès clutch in her lap, tapping her fingernails on the pebble-grained goatskin. “You’re too easily impressed. A little longer at this and you’ll acquire—”

Snobbery.

“—enough taste to tell the mediocre from the good. Don’t be overwhelmed by a famous venue and a pretty room.”

Hey, that wasn’t fair. Since she’d started at Du Jour, Jules had seen plenty of famous venues, and it wasn’t like Penn hadn’t had its own fair share of opportunities. She’d studied abroad in Italy for a semester and seen some of the world’s most beautiful buildings, fashion, and artwork. She hadn’t been invited to sit down with the Pope, but being in his general vicinity had to count for something.

She meant to say so, but what came out of her mouth was, “That ‘pretty room’ was too pink.”

A poorly muffled laugh emanated from the driver’s seat.

Vivian frowned at the back of Jimmy’s head. “I didn’t know your standards were so high, Julia. I didn’t mean to bring you to a hole in the wall for lunch.”

“Wait, no,” Jules said in horror. “I—”

“And to make you slum it with such unimportant people.”

“I didn’t mean that!” Jules dug her fingers into her skirt.

“What did you mean?”

“I just meant I wasn’t… I knew how sophisticated the venue was, Vivian. And I really appreciate that I got to meet all those people. Thank you. But I don’t just walk around with stars in my eyes instead of paying attention.”